| There are many reasons why people relocate | | | | of moving around. From seeing my brothers |
| anywhere, so why the Scottish highlands and | | | | experience of moving from England to Scotland, it |
| Islands? I myself am not a native Scot, but like | | | | was a much smoother transition between the |
| many others have fallen in love with the place. I | | | | schools as in the highlands and islands in particular |
| may moan about the rainy, windy days but I can't | | | | they tend to be more prepared for pupils moving |
| imagine living anywhere else! | | | | from a different curriculum. Personally, I had more |
| I have experienced both sides of Scotland from | | | | problems moving schools within the same county |
| one of the remotest islands to Scotland's largest | | | | in England. One thing to keep in mind; Scotland |
| city. Both are equally beautiful in their own way | | | | doesn't have GCSE's or A-Levels. Instead they've |
| and have character like nowhere else I've lived. | | | | got Standard Grades and Highers! |
| Living in the Outer Hebrides completely changed | | | | Housing |
| my life. I had no idea such places hidden away in | | | | In some parts of Scotland buying a house is quite |
| the UK existed (although it was marked on the | | | | different compared to the rest of the U.K. For |
| BBC weather map all along!) It's a shame not | | | | the different laws that surround buying a house it |
| many people get to experience Scotland in its | | | | is best to get in touch with an estate agent within |
| raw form and only get to touch the tip of the | | | | the area that you are interested in buying. |
| iceberg on what there is to see. When you finally | | | | In the highlands and Islands it is very common to |
| move to Scotland, you loose that 'touristy' feeling | | | | croft your own land. My family does this to rear |
| and you become connected to the place in a | | | | their own animals on a two acre plot of land right |
| completely different way. | | | | next to a loch overlooking the sea. It is also |
| Scotland is littered with places where you might | | | | popular for to rent their land out to local farmers |
| consider moving and it can only take that one | | | | for keeping animals or growing certain crops. It |
| visit before you have your heart set on a place. | | | | doesn't make you a great deal of money, but it is |
| Whether you're looking for the good life on a | | | | great for the local economy in the long run and |
| croft or wanting the fast pace of a city there is | | | | it's so nice seeing baby animals prancing around in |
| something for everyone. I've experience both and | | | | the spring! |
| have loved every minute of it. If only I could take | | | | In Scotland it is very popular to buy and build |
| what I have in the city to the Islands, then it | | | | your own 'kit house'. Overall this is a cheaper way |
| would be perfect! | | | | of getting yourself on the housing market. I have |
| Schools | | | | seen 2 bedroom one story houses going from |
| If you have children it is important to bare in mind | | | | 30,000 (excluding the price of land) which is great |
| the difference in the school system. The primary | | | | because you can design it the way you want! |
| schools can work in two ways depending on | | | | In the cities however, in recent years I have seen |
| where you are. Children start primary school at | | | | the price of houses creep to level with the rest |
| the age of 5 until the age of 11 (P1 to P6) to | | | | of the U.K. Though cost of living seems to be less |
| which they then move up to Secondary school. | | | | than I've experienced in England, everything else is |
| However in some highland and island communities | | | | pretty much the same. Glasgow and Edinburgh |
| they might combine the primary school with the | | | | are the most expensive, but there are a lot of |
| first 3 years of secondary school (to S3) and | | | | online forums which you can join to find the best |
| pupils then move up to secondary school at the | | | | areas of the cities to rent or buy and the council |
| age of 14 instead (S1 to S5). | | | | tax hot spots. |
| It's a much simpler system I feel and saves a lot | | | | |